Pat Coles Obit

Obituary, John Patrick Coles

We would like to share with you all the sad news that Patrick Coles, former Chairman of the Southern Group, has recently passed away at the age of 83.

Pat chaired the Southern Group between 1981 and 1992. During his tenure and beyond, Pat was never short of helpful advice for beginners, and many aspiring austringers will remember with gratitude the generous invitations to see his Goshawks flying. Some may recall in the early days, his superlative female, Gussy, who on one famous day took eleven head of various quarry. Pat started hawking in 1970 and never missed a season, hawking with his old friends Nick Nicklinson and Alan Peters right up to the end of January 2017.

All who encountered Pat will remember a true gentleman who was suspicious of any sort of pretension in falconry, and was always the epitome of kindness.

Pat died suddenly on Tuesday 22 August, at home, in his chair in the kitchen.

Our sympathy goes out to his wife Patricia and all their family at this very sad time.